It's been a funny kind of summer so far, not just the changeable weather but also the changing of my plans, but I am confident that nothing will be lost, just rescheduled and that the additional time it has given me for writing and preparation for the UK tour with the ERE, has only benefitted the music all round.
With all the templates finished for Return to the Red Planet, I have been able to listen through to everything and can honestly say I'm delighted with where the album is at. It is, as mentioned in the July Ramblings, very proggy but also quite different in some areas creating a sort of "New Wakeman" prog in comparison.
In a week, the ERE (Lee Pomeroy , Dave Colquhoun and Adam Falkner), join me in the residential studio to add all their skills before I start on the keyboard overdubs which conclude with Mollie Marriott adding some magical vocals, which are not song orientated, but more as an additional instrument interspersing within the music, which for me works extraordinarily well… but admittedly I am biased!
I already know what the cover is going to look like and for all who liked the pop-up cover of The Red Planet , then you're in for a treat.
The album is scheduled for release next Spring hopefully to coincided with the rescheduled Strictly Wakeman tour of America and I am really looking forward to that especially after the success of the "warm-up" concert a few weeks ago at The Granary which couldn't have gone better.
Before all this though, comes the release of Melancholia in October which will be available on the ERE tour of the UK on both vinyl and CD.
There are other happenings during this month, including the funeral of my dear friend Dave Cousins which I will attend to pay my sincere respects to a man who played a great part in my early musical life.I will also be having loads of meetings, and I mean loads, as regards the tour, the albums and the future over the next few years.
In the meantime every day this month is busy and I still await the date for my operation, but I have every confidence that all will be well and prepare the way for a great future… especially when it comes to music and other art connected plans, of which there are many.
Cheers Rick